Residency Question

My wife and I just relocated to Indiana from Florida so that I may attend school in Bloomington.

Florida does not have a state tax, Indiana does. Under no circumstances does Indiana law allow me to gain resident status for tuition purposes, so there is no positive reason (for us) to change residency. This is not an issue for me. However, what is the law for my wife? Can she keep her Florida resident status?

She works out of our home for G.E., and travels across the country as necessary. There is no local "office" that she goes to. Both our cars are registered in Florida. We have no property in either state, we rent an apartment in Indiana, and all our mail now comes to Indiana. She is not registered to vote in either state (I'm registered in Florida).

Thanks for all input.

--John

If your wife was 'active duty' military and had a 'state of legal residence' in her service record, she could in fact keep FLA as her residence. Since you both are civilian and living in Indiana, (renting an apt), making money in the State of Indiana while living there 50% of the current year, you are require to pay just like everyone else. Why wouldn't you?

Now, if you live on a house-boat on the water, or an island, that's a little different.

osterperson,

You bring up an interesting point. If I were to buy a sailboat living aboard and transiting up and down the east coast with no contract at a slip, how would that work with declaring a state of residency? The boat would be Coast Guard documented vessel, not state registered.

Tim,

Are you trying to avoid taxes?
This would probably work, although I can't give you any details in regards to that. Also not sure about the residency issue for a civilian - I'm thinking that the civilian would be considering giving up citizenship - what do you think?

In regards to the military person - they have to declare a state of legal residence.

Regards,
John M Osterman